So, first things first, why 'Tranquil Doe'? I had an assignment in high school given by one of my favorite teachers of all time, in fact one of my favorite people of all time, where we were to choose an animal that represented us best, and to write a poem about ourselves as that animal. (I highly recommend doing this yourself. Get people you know to choose an animal to describe themselves if you can, it may tell you more about some than you ever wanted to know, and explain inconsistencies or things you couldn't put your finger on for years, especially if they explain why they chose that animal. The best compliment one ex-boyfriend ever gave me was when I asked him to choose an animal to describe me, and he put some thought into it.) I chose the doe, the female deer.

Now you will surely see why the site I have chosen is spelled 'deer', instead of 'dear', a fun joke, yes? Especially since the first several names for websites I was thinking of (that were available) weren't easy to read or just didn't look right in website form. Although I have to say none were as hilarious as thepenismightierthanthesword.com (spells "penis") or I might have gone with them instead!

So, I'm sure people will continually think I've spelled the word 'dear' wrong in the url of my blog. But hey, if they don't get it, it will be a fun joke between us, yes? Much like Frost's "The Road Not Taken." Don't know what I'm talking about? I should refer you to that same favorite teacher I mentioned above, as he was the first to let me in on that secret. I'll just say, don't research it further if you want that poem to stay inspiring to you. Enough said.

Another reason "Shannon deer" is perfect is because my grandmother used to sing me a song that started with the words "Shannon, dear..." She was an amazing woman and another of my favorite people of all time. She actually recorded said song for me, along with others, when I was just born and had not (I love using contractions but with the auto correct from my kindle, some are a pain in the ass, so I may be oddly contraction-free due to this) even come home from the hospital with my parents yet; while she was at home watching my siblings. How ridiculously amazing is that?!!!!!

So anyway, here's the poem as I have it memorized, if you'd like to "hear." It may give you more insight than people have who know me fairly well. Is this creepy? Likely, yes. Reason enough not to share? I think not. Plus, hey, you could be someone who knows me AND reads my blog. Oh, the revelation. :D



The Doe

She rests in meadows' flowered sweeps
And in the dark of night she sleeps.
She greets the brilliant world of dreams,
Of brightest days and deepest streams.
When cruel hunters linger near,
Her body leaps and runs in fear.
She finds a safe and quiet spot
To save her from a dreadful shot.
She thanks a rush of saving grace,
So quick to lead to freedom's space.
When end of day blurs into night,
She dreams beneath the moon's pale light.



There it is. I'm not sure I believe in the concept of 'grace' in this context anymore. I wish I did; it's a beautiful concept. Sometimes experience takes things away from us we can't get back. If you don't know what I'm talking about, I'm glad.

This post is continued in the next one.